i800 Filed!

I just received notification that my stateside agency mailed our i800 packet to USCIS today!

THIS IS THE LAST DOCUMENT WE HAVE TO FILE IN ORDER TO HAVE ISAAC IN OUR ARMS!!

I cannot believe I am writing that last sentence!!

Because They Waited

My adoption agency, like most all I'm sure, require 10 hours minimum of pre-adoption education.
Initially I assumed that meant reading books on adoption, etc.  And goodness, I have spent many, many hours researching online and reading books on the subject.
But then I found out what they really mean is, there is a 10 hour online course entitled Because They Waited.
It is done through Heart of the Matter seminars.

The course is interesting because it is Hague compliant and they send you a certificate of completion once you have finished the course.  So I purchased it online this morning.  $150.  Not too bad of a price.  Hopefully they will send our password soon and I can get started on it.

Here are a few of the courses in the package:

Promoting healthy brain development

Sensory processing and sensory integration

Parenting to a child's "real age" vs. chronological age

Understanding the internal alarm

Building attachment

Race and Culture

I'll let you know how it goes!
Have any of you completed your 10 hours?  What did you do?
:) jessica

Opening Doors

I am doing tons of research online.

I love that so much of the information I need is on the internet now. Even all the forms we will need.

I have found yahoo groups specific to adoption, one even specific to Kenyan adoption. Found many blogs of folks that have adopted in Kenya. Some even listed out in detail their timeline and process (thank you!). Found all three adoption agencies in Kenya online. Found online reviews and ratings of the US adoption agencies. I have sent an email to every agency and person I have come across that has an email address listed. And last night I received my first response email back from a Kenyan adoption agency!!

They informed me that, yes, the U.S. has had a moratorium on Kenyan adoptions for the past two years (because of the Hague Convention and new rules? I'm still not sure how all that works.)

HOWEVER, it was lifted at the end of February 2011, and now they have resumed their U.S. program!!!! "It is possible for you to pursue an adoption in Kenya while you are here." is the exact sentence from their email.

(Excuse me while I jump up and down repeatedly. Okay I'm back.)

They also told me which U.S. agency they work with, who to contact there, and what forms to fill out now. Apparently there are a few forms that take months to obtain approval for, so we can actually file those NOW and cover a lot of ground (read: waiting time!) before we even get to Kenya.

Thank you Jesus for continuing to open doors.

Dear Baby,

We are coming. I cannot think about you without crying. We long for you. We love you!

From: Your Forever Family

Trusting Him in the Details

This was an emotional day for me. I received an email from a friend who left Nairobi last year. When she was there, Kenya had just signed on to the Hague Convention, but had not finalized all the laws for local adoptions. (I think this is stated correctly.) As such, many folks (such as State Dept folk like myself) who were wanting to adopt there were simply not able to.

I called my husband at work and explained, unable to talk because I was crying.

I mean, I already love this baby immensely.

I don't pretend to have any idea of what God's plan is. I trust Him to take care of all the details.
I just know what He has placed in my heart and my husband's heart.

Kevin said this does not change anything. There are neighboring countries that also allow adoption, such as Ethiopia. And that's true. I just assumed it would be Kenya!

Jesus, I trust you.

I found this alert on State's website posted from a week ago. I cannot figure out if this is good news or bad news...

Adoption Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
__________________________________________________________________

March 2, 2011

Expect Adoption Delays

Kenya and the United States are party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Hague”). As such, all adoptions between Kenya and the United States initiated after April 1, 2008, must meet the requirements of the Hague Convention and its U.S. and Kenya law counterparts. The Government of Kenya is still in the process of amending its laws to mirror the procedural requirements of the Convention. In late 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution and the government is currently drafting hundreds of pieces of new legislation required to implement the provisions of the new constitution. Due to this legislative back-log, legislation that will bring Kenya into full compliance with the Hague Convention may not be enacted for quite some time.

Until it is, Kenya’s Department of Children’s Services is willing to make administrative adjustments that will allow it to follow the procedural framework required by the Hague Convention. International adoptions that meet Hague Convention requirements can now be processed in Kenya. However, until Kenya’s international adoption laws are finalized, serious delays, expense, uncertainly, and difficulties could still arise with the Hague adoption process. The Department of State therefore advises American citizens to proceed with caution when deciding whether or not to adopt from Kenya.

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi continues to be in contact with the High Court of Kenya and their Department of Children’s Services concerning the processing requirements of Hague adoption cases. Please continue to monitor this website for the most updated information as it becomes availabl